The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 11) investigating a confirmed imported case of cholera, and again appealed to the public for good personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

The female patient, aged 25 with good past health, travelled to Malaysia from June 30 to July 3 and developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting since July 3. She was admitted to Union Hospital on July 8 and was discharged on July 10.

The patient was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital today for isolation and management. She has been in a stable condition all along.

Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel collaterals in her recent trip and her home contacts remained asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

"Most cholera patients have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Some patients with severe symptoms present with a sudden onset of profuse diarrhoea with rice-water-like and fishy smelling stools, nausea and vomiting. Without prompt treatment, these patients may die from severe dehydration," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Cholera is usually contracted through consumption of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. Human-to-human transmission rarely happens.

The CHP advised the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel:

Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before eating or handling food, after going to the toilet or changing diapers, and after handling garbage;

Avoid handling food when having symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea;

Purchase food from hygienic and reliable sources. Do not patronise illegal hawkers;

Handle raw, cooked and ready-to-eat food with separate utensils and store them separately;

Ensure thorough cooking of food before consumption;

Discard any spoilt food;

Clean the refrigerator regularly. Maintain the fridge at or below 4 degrees Celsius and the freezer at or below -18 degrees C;

Maintain proper sanitary facilities and drainage systems; and

Clean and disinfect toilets used by an infected person and the soiled areas.

In addition, travellers to cholera-affected areas should:

Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. Do not patronise illegal hawkers. Avoid eating cold dishes like salads. Wash and peel fruit by yourself. Do not use ice for beverages. If water cannot be boiled, treat water with chlorine or iodine before consumption; and

Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop. Reveal the travel history and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene.